Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Honda Pilot underwent a subtle transformation, adopting a more rugged, truck-like appearance with its larger, blockier grille and gray plastic scuff plates. This design shift aligned with industry trends, enhancing its utilitarian style with standard roof rails and a matching rear bumper scuff plate. While the exterior updates were minimal, they reinforced the rugged design direction introduced three years prior. Inside, the Pilot retained its familiar layout but introduced notable upgrades, including larger infotainment and digital instrument panels. The top trims featured unique diamond quilting in synthetic suede, with contrasting stitching and a new trim element that varied in appearance depending on lighting. These changes maintained the Pilot's reputation as a practical and tastefully designed midsize SUV, meeting or exceeding class expectations for material quality and construction.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid embraced a bold reinterpretation that divided opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille spanning the front end. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes creating a jarring effect in lighter shades but blending harmoniously in darker ones. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile featured unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, adding an odd novelty. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, equipped with the optional Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the labeling on silver buttons and cream-colored infotainment shortcuts proved challenging to read.

The 2026 Honda Pilot retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Sport and EX-L trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option, while all other trims came standard with AWD. The Pilot's acceleration was more than adequate, with a confident V6 engine that responded quickly without the need for aggressive pedal input. The brake pedal effort was soft, suitable for a family SUV, though occasional subtle downshifts and lurches were noted. Honda revised the steering for 2026, improving feedback and stability, addressing the previous model's vague highway feel. Overall, the Pilot maintained its confident handling, though it didn't aspire to sportiness.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid variant added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quieter ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Telluride models prioritized comfort, delivering a smooth ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim surprisingly comfortable despite its lifted off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension effectively absorbed bumps. The Telluride's composed handling instilled confidence, though it wasn't particularly sporty. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring adjustment, but panic stops were immediate and controlled.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's cabin remained largely unchanged, offering excellent interior space and versatility. A standout feature was the removable second-row center seat, providing flexibility between a bench and captain's chairs. The center seat was more suitable for smaller passengers, while the outboard positions offered ample legroom for larger adults. Access to the third row was easy, with a single button push folding the second-row seatback and sliding it forward. The third row provided adequate space for smaller adults, though the seat cushions were mounted lower, reducing thigh support. Behind the third row, the Pilot offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 60.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 112.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The front seats featured generous storage options, including a long tray, cupholders, and a giant center armrest bin.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, providing comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats offered significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 48.7 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seatbacks flat. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride's front seats featured a large center bin with deployable cupholders, while the second row had a tray and bin that slid out from the console.

The 2026 Honda Pilot upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel for all trims. The physical shortcut buttons were replaced with customizable on-screen shortcuts, and the volume knob was relocated below the dashboard. The system ran on the latest Honda software, offering quick response and ease of use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though the wireless phone charger required an upgrade to the EX-L trim. The charging pad was temperamental, requiring precise phone positioning. The Pilot retained unique features like multiple camera angles for parking and off-roading, as well as the Cabin Talk intercom feature.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly, though it experienced occasional delays and required firm taps. The climate control screen was challenging to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment themes, including collaborations with NBA, National Geographic, Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available on the SX trim and above, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's crash test scores were not available at the time of writing, but it was expected to receive high scores based on the unchanged structure from 2025. The 2025 Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. All Pilot trims came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitor, traffic sign reader, and automatic high-beam headlights. The forward collision warning was sensitive, but it only resulted in a quick alert without braking intervention.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid's crash test scores were not available at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had operational issues at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. The highway driving assist was effective on longer trips, maintaining lane centering and smooth speed changes.